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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZBA 1993-05-25 Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS May 25, 1993 - 7:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Tom Duer. ROLL CALL PRESENT Chairman Members Tom Duer Robert Skinner Billy Cypert Mark Barfield Perry Christensen Bill Schopper Barry LeBaron Steve Ingham Dir. Plan/Insp. ABSENT OATH OF OFFICE Mr. Jim Grant took the oath of office and was sworn in as a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of North Richland Hills, Texas. Chairman Duer explained that for a variance request to be approved, it must receive four affirmative votes from the five members of the Board. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES OF APRIL,t9, 1993 Y Mr. Skinner made the motion to approve the minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cypert, and the motion carried 5-0, with Mr. Grant abstaining due to absence at the previous meeting. 1. BA 93-15 Request of Billy McLendon for a variance from the Zoning Ordinance No. 1874 on Lot 13AR, Block 5, North Richland Hills Addition, to vary from the maximum sign area requirement. This property is located at 7313A Grapevine Highway. Chairman Duer opened the Public Hearing and called for those wishing to speak to come forward at this time. Mr. Billy McLendon, 701 Cullum, Hurst, came forward to speak. He stated he is the owner of BJ's Custom Shirts. He stated they recently moved from Greater Richland Center which will be demolished. He stated there is not enough signage at the new location to attract enough business. Mr. McLendon stated he submitted a letter at the previous meeting which explained his variance request. He stated they want more signage out front than what is allowed. He stated they will be adding signs on the front of the building. He stated the signs at the businesses around him are very large compared to what he is requesting. Mr. McLendon stated Mr. Steve Duncan from the sign company was present to answer any questions. Mr. Steve Duncan came forward to speak. He stated the transmission shop has about 88 square feet on their pole sign. He stated the Chinese restaurant has about 95 square feet. He stated Mr. McLendon is in between the two signs. Mr. Duncan stated that Tandy would be using the same pole sign. He stated a chiropractor sign exists on the pole. Chairman Duer asked if Mr. McLendon's business took up over half of ZBA Minutes - Page 2 25 May 1993 the building. Mr. McLendon stated yes. Chairman Duer stated the ordinance allows one square foot of sign for every one linear foot of frontage. He stated Mr. McLendon1s business should have at least fifty square feet of signage based on the amount of space he occupies. Mr. Skinner asked if the chiropractor was currently in the building. Mr. Duncan stated yes. Mr. Skinner asked if he knew the length of the chiropractorls contract. Mr. McLendon stated no, but he told the chiropractor he wanted the space if he ever moves out. Mr. Skinner asked about Tandy's lease. Mr. McLendon stated Tandy is doing a good business at that site. Chairman Duer asked what was the purpose of having an individual sign that just said IIBJ'SIl and an additional sign. Mr. Duncan stated the IIBJ1s" was a way of bringing attention to the business for people looking for the site. He stated it was also cheaper for Mr. McLendon to put the sign in a separate cabinet. Mr. Skinner asked what existing signs are on the pole now. Mr. Duncan stated a D&D Samples sign at 32 square feet on top, and the existing chiropractor sign. He stated what they intended to do was to place the chiropractorls sign on a new pole with the new BJ's sign. Chairman Duer asked what the total square footage on the entire pole was. Mr. Duncan stated BJ's signs take up 68 square feet. Chairman Duer asked why they were coming before the Board of Adjustment if the sign was less than 100 square feet. Mr. Duncan stated the city inspector denied the permit because she said if they take up the 100 square feet, no one else in the center would be able to have one. Chairman Duer stated that the drawing shows that Tandy has a sign. Mr. Duncan stated he added that to the sign because Tandy wanted twenty square feet. He stated it does not exist now. Chairman Duer asked if the 100 square feet is used, and the tenants do not care what the amount is, why is the case before the Board. Mr. Skinner stated the allowable square footage for this property is 100 square feet. He stated the drawing shows it to be 120 square feet. He ZBA Minutes - Page 3 25 May 1993 stated BJ's is exceeding the total square footage of the entire sign. Mr. Christensen asked if they would be centering the pole on the property since they are replacing the pole. Mr. Duncan stated they would put it about the same place since electric service already exists at that site. Mr. Christensen stated there is some concern since this sign is very close to the Chinese restaurant sign, and this sign may block the sign for the restaurant. Mr. Skinner asked about the flexibility of the size of lettering on the sign. Mr. Duncan stated yes. Mr. Skinner stated there is some space on the "BJ1slI portion that can be reduced. He stated the "group discounts" portion is unnecessary on this sign. He asked if some of the space could be reduced. Mr. Duncan stated the space is necessary for people to be able to read while on the run. He stated if you were 500-feet back, the sign wouJd all run together. Mr. Skinner stated the "BJ1s" portion is probably enough for the location. He stated by the time someone read all the other stuff, they are already past it. He stated the rest of it is excessive. Mr. Christensen asked what would happen if the chiropractor wanted a larger sign. Chairman Duer stated his concern if Tandy moved out, would the new tenant be satisfied with the 20-square feet of signage available to them. There being no one else wishing to speak, Chairman Duer closed the Public Hearing. Chairman Duer asked if it was possible to move the sign to the center of the property. Mr. Duncan stated there is a shared drive with the restaurant. He stated it could be moved over some. Mr. McLendon stated he tries to stay away from portable signs. He stated that is the reason for all the copy on the large sign. Chairman Duer stated there are three businesses in that location. He stated the ordinance provides for good local control and protection. He stated if they were to approve a sign larger than what the ordinance allows, he is glad to see it spread among the three businesses. He stated it is also a good idea to move the sign to the center of the property. Mr. Cypert asked how the stated dimensions of the restaurant and transmission shop signs compare to what is actually there. Mr. LeBaron stated he is not sure what the actual dimensions are. - ZBA Minutes - Page 4 25 May 1993 Mr. Cypert asked how much Tandy wanted on the sign. Mr. McLendon stated they want only twenty feet. Mr. Christensen stated that if Tandy moved out, what if the tenant wanted their 25-percent of the sign. Mr. Skinner asked how large the sign would be on the building. Mr. McLendon stated it would be similar to what used to be on the old lease space. Mr. Grant asked if they have looked at a new design for the sign. He stated putting "team uniform" and "group discounts" on the sign was superfluous. Mr. McLendon stated two other companies did designs for the signs. He stated they do not to any advertising other than the sign and the yellow pages. He stated they would like to go with what is presented, but it is up to the Board. Chairman Duer stated if they approve the variance, they would approve 120 square feet of signs for a 100-foot wide lot. He stated if a new tenant came in and wanted a larger sign, they are already at 120 square feet, and the Board won't budge on that. Mr. Skinner stated they are discussing this without any knowledge of what the contracts for the other tenants provide. Mr. Cypert asked if they are willing to relocated the sign to avoid conflict with the neighboring businesses. Mr. McLendon stated yes. There was general discussion regarding reducing the size of the signs to accommodate the lot width. Mr. Cypert stated he would rather see the size of the sign exceed the rimits and be moved to the center than to reduce the size and block the neighboring businesses. Mr. Skinner stated BJ's would have more than one sign since there would be signs on the building itself. He stated he is against the overage. Chairman Duef asked if rt were possible to go to a maximum of 110 square feet. Mr. McLendon stated it is possible. He stated he would like to have 120 square feet. He stated visibility is one of his greatest concerns. Mr. Schopper asked how much of his business was monogramming on items he does not sell. Mr. McLendon stated they are getting contract business as well as retail sales. ZBA Minutes - Page 5 25 May 1993 Mr. Schopper stated that the word "monogramming" on the sign was a little large, but could be moved to the same line as "team uniforms" and reduce the size of the sign. Chairman Duer stated that may not be possible. Mr. McLendon stated they considered abbreviating monogramming, but no one knew what it stood for. Mr. Cypert stated the location of the sign is more important than the amount of sign. He stated the neighboring signs may stay where they are at this point. He stated he would allow the overage based on relocating the sign. Chairman Duer stated he would rather see an overage at this site since there are three businesses in the building rather than one. Mr. Christensen asked if they should look at equity of sign space based on the amount of the building used by the busihess. Mr. Schopper stated that is a function of the landlord during lease negotiations. He stated it is not a city issue. Mr. Skinner stated they must judge what is existing, not what can be in the future. He stated his opposition to the overage. Chairman Duer asked if someone else bought the property, would they be allowed to have the overage if it were approved. Mr. LeBaron stated that once the structure is there, they can keep it. He stated if they tear it down and start over, it drops back to 100 square feet. Mr. Skinner stated if the pole is gone, they must come down to the regulations. Mr. Schopper stated by spreading the signs out, it would look less obnoxious. Mr. Cypert made the motion to approve SA 93-15 subject to the following stipulations: the sign be relocated to the center of the property to allow visibility of the other signs, and the sign not to exceed 120 square feet. The motion was seconded by Mr. Schopper, and the motion failed 3-2, with Mr. Cypert, Mr. Schopper, and Chairman Duer voting for, and Mr. Skinner and Mr. Christensen voting against. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Skinner asked if the gentleman on Riviera Drive finished his fence. Mr. LeBaron stated yes. ZSA Minutes - Page 6 25 May 1993 Mr. Skinner asked about the status of T.G.I. Friday's parking Jot. Mr. LeBaron stated they are working on what the Board prescribed. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 7~;t~ Dr. Tom Duer, Chairman